When we precondition our cattle in the spring to get them ready for summer grass, we like to sort the cattle according to size before we work them. Then, after working them, we put the cattle back in separate pastures according to their size. When the cattle are more uniform in size, it makes them more appealing to cattle buyers and it also gives you the option of selling and shipping your bigger cattle earlier in case of drought or market conditions. When we sort at this time of year, it’s done in the pens before the cattle are put through the chute and given their shots.

On this day, Tim was working with his oldest and my oldest. Despite their age, they both did a pretty good job.

When sorting the cattle, we do it in an alley: the cattle are on one end of the alley with the sorter, while the gate runners (the two kids, in this case) man two gates.

Notice the starting position of the two gate runners. Standing inside the gates allows the cattle to move down the alley more easily. Usually the size that accounts for the most of the cattle are allowed to go down the alley. On this day, it was the medium size cattle that were greater in number.

Tim’s son was on the short gate, which meant he had less time to react when Tim would call for one to go in his gate. Usually, if you have a gate that’s a shorter distance to the sorter, you will designate that gate to catch what you think will be the least amount of cattle. On this day, it was the smaller cattle that were to go through that gate.

One of the keys to running a gate is not to move too soon. Here, Tim has called the first steer “medium” and the second one “small,” which means his boy needs to catch the second one. If he moves too early, he will spook the first steer. But on this one, he times it just right.

The first steer has already gone by and he gets out just in time to turn the second steer.

That was a nice move.

Now let’s see how my girl does. She’s in charge of catching all the big cattle. Tim is talking to them the whole time. Right here, he’s saying “By the red and Alex, you catch the big black.”

She waits until the first steer is by her, then makes her move.

Perfect job. I couldn’t have done it better myself.

Another rule of running a gate is that it’s better just to stop them and turn them back than to let one go into the wrong pen. Here, there are two different sizes coming down the alley—they’re too close to separate them with the gate.

Tim had shouted “By that black molly face and catch the big Charolais!” Instead of trying to make a great move with her gate, she instead steps out to slow them down and give them a chance to separate.

The black goes on by while the white returns to the end of the alley with the other unsorted cattle. My father used to do this to Tim and me all the time, except he would send ten down the alley and holler “Tim the first two, bye three, Ladd, you get the black baldie, Tim the big red, by the black and Ladd, you catch the last two.” We would usually get about half of that done, then send the rest back to him.

I think he did it just for fun.

Down to the last two in this draft of cattle. That black is one of our neighbor’s—“Put him with the little cattle.”

“Big that Red!”

Next, Tim gets more cattle out of the pen to fill the alley and do it all over again. All of those cattle in the background still need to be sorted: 1,200 head in all.

Kim in MD On Friday, May 20 at 10:03 am

I have to admit when I first looked at the post I scanned through the pictures and thought there was some sort of mistake and he took the same picture 10 times. Love their little stance to slow down those giant cows.

Deb H On Friday, May 20 at 12:46 pm

I agree. Thanks Prof. MM!

Sydney On Friday, May 20 at 6:23 pm

Very interesting! Thanks MM! Another great ranching lesson.

JaneyBrainey On Saturday, May 21 at 3:34 pm

Yes, very educational. It must be so much fun to watch your kids learn the things you learned!

Allie On Friday, May 20 at 12:39 pm

Very impressive to this country girl too! I loved the lesson, and I love seeing these kids hard at work….what a wonderful life they have – good, honest hard work, loving families and lots of space and fresh air. Ahhhhh, what more could they ask for

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Joyce On Friday, May 20 at 9:34 am

Fun post and proving once again that timing is everything! That girl is awesome!!

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Kitty On Friday, May 20 at 9:34 am

Very impressive, indeed! I love that your kiddos are growing up with such a great work ethic. And they seem to really enjoy their work too. Great parenting!

Melinda S On Friday, May 20 at 10:29 am

I agree. What a great post – visuals are great and they kids really did well. Would have loved a shot at the end of the day – were they still smiling?

Norine On Friday, May 20 at 5:22 pm

I was thinking the same thing, Kitty. Also, when they are up for career decisions, some of them will be intuitive. Who among these will be the next generations of responsible cattle ranchers. And yes, Melinda, ya wonder if they can even crawl :-).

This brings back awesome memories of sorting cattle, vaccinating, branding, etc. with my dad when we were younger! I remember the rush of getting it right and how tired we were once we were all done, but we had all accomplished the goal together! I can’t wait until our boys are old enough to help! Thanks for sharing!!

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Claudia T. On Friday, May 20 at 9:36 am

Wow!! Impressive work for the kids to be doing.

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Kati On Friday, May 20 at 9:36 am

looks like fun!

mandalyne On Friday, May 20 at 1:08 pm

I think so, too! I’d want to run a gate. We always had a couple of bottle fed steers growing up that we’d take to the auction house. Way different with 2 than with 1200!

That was the best thing about this post. Ladd writes well and I am enjoying his posts on everyday working ranch life. Very interesting. And good photos to boot.

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Joanne from Alberta On Friday, May 20 at 9:36 am

Ahhh the memories!! We never had to sort that many as we had a smaller scale operation but I spent many a weekend working cattle! I miss those days!

zoom On Friday, May 20 at 10:03 am

Memories. If I close my eyes, I can hear every sound, smell every smell, and feel that delightful tension in the air. I am blessed.

Kim D On Friday, May 20 at 12:58 pm

I grew up doing the same type of work, only on a sheep ranch. While the animals were a bit smaller, the necessity of team work and that sense of instinct about what the animal is going to do was just the same. I, too, love reading this post from MM. Reminds me of listening to my Dad give my brother and I directions. Great memories of a great childhood.

Cathy B On Friday, May 20 at 9:38 am

This is amazing – especially for people who have never lived a rural life, like myself! Thanks for sharing your practices with us – cool to see how these things are done!

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Christine M J On Friday, May 20 at 9:39 am

Really enjoying MM’s posts! So interesting!!

jjk On Friday, May 20 at 12:30 pm

I agree, fascinating. I like the detailed how and why of the operation!

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Charlsey On Friday, May 20 at 9:40 am

Very interesting and impressive. All of that took only a day?! Being a city girl now, I miss the smell of Spring grass and sweaty horses/cows! Thanks for sharing!

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Brook V On Friday, May 20 at 9:40 am

Terrific post about working cattle. Everyone has been branding back home, I have been hearing all about it on FB. Sure do miss it. Probably miss the togetherness and comradere and friendship more than the work though. Ha!

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Christine in Las Animas On Friday, May 20 at 9:41 am

Looks like fun to me. Wish the friends we help out were as organized. Oh well, its still what I call fun!!!

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Kimi On Friday, May 20 at 9:41 am

I love post like that. It’s so interesting.

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Moya Crava On Friday, May 20 at 9:41 am

MM, I so enjoy your stories about your ranch life. The young people are very lucky to
experience this way of life. Open space, beautiful countryside, a gazillion cows,
what more could they ask for? Great story.

Best thing about this? The grandfather-to-father-to-son/daughter progression. Great job, MM.

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Codee On Friday, May 20 at 9:44 am

Thanks for showing us how this gets done on the ranch!

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Susan B On Friday, May 20 at 9:44 am

You know, when my sisters and I were kids we lived on a small farm and together with our parents we worked with the animals, the garden, house repairs…everything. At the time, we didn’t always appreciate our “together time” but now, they’re good memories. So many funny stories came out of those times. Reading your post reminds me of those days (and it was also extremely interesting, by the way). Right now your kids may not realize the blessing of all of it…someday they will.

I always learn so much with your posts about life in a ranch (so far away from my city reality). You have a knack to make your posts instructive, fun, easy and enjoyable to read. The pictures are always awesome. Thanks for sharing!

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Allie P On Friday, May 20 at 9:48 am

This HAS to be the next “Angry Birds” game–with Uncle Tim messing with you calling out things just to mess with you.

Lisa On Friday, May 20 at 2:46 pm

Wow! That actually sounds like fun! Actually I would love to just go up there and ride horses on your property. It is so beautiful. I can just see myself graciously galloping across the open fields… ok, not so much, I really see myself flopping around before falling off.. but a girl can dream! Great post.
I think the kids need to start writing a blog. That would be neat to hear their version.

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Abby On Friday, May 20 at 9:50 am

Please give both punks a major high five. I am so impressed with how responsible and smart they (and the other punks) are when it comes to doing their work – bravo to them and you as parents. I’m amazed!

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Renae On Friday, May 20 at 9:51 am

Ree, I hope you are looking over your shoulder! MM’s posts are as interesting and fun as yours. Keep them coming MM. I love learning about ranching and the realities of ranch life.

Great crew you have there!
I wonder if you are familiar with the work of Temple Grandin? If you have thoughts on her designs, and understanding of cattle management? Coming from a Sonoran cattle ranching family, and having children with Autism, I found her story very compelling and worthwhile.

Of course, we’re hobby ranchers so we have about 45 head instead of 1200 but still

Last year the last cow wouldnt load, and jumped the 5′ fence instead. I hollered “Cow in the yard!” and the kids scrambled onto hayracks without missing a beat. Since higher fences arent in the budget this year, we’ll just be hoping the cows are in a better mood.

So nice to see the kids involved! Mine are 6 and 7. The 7 year old is starting to learn gate running, but it’ll be a while before he can handle anything like your post!

Janet On Friday, May 20 at 9:53 am

What great helpers you have!! We have been reading the “Little Britches” books by Ralph Moody wherein young Ralph works on cattle ranches. The kids LOVE them! It makes it great for them to get to see such great pictures of what they have been hearing about. Thanks for letting us “watch!”

Brenda L.W. On Friday, May 20 at 11:03 am

This is really an awesome teaching tool! Thanks, MM

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Dani in WA On Friday, May 20 at 9:53 am

Thank you for such an interesting peek into your life, and your upbringing. I have loved reading your posts.

I never saw my comment so sorry if it shows up twice now… but now I can’t remember all that I wrote except that love hearing from your family. Maybe your children can write a post one day too and we can hear their side of things… living and working on the farm. They are hard workers and I commend them for that. Would be interesting to hear what they have to say!

Jenni Matthewson On Friday, May 20 at 7:51 pm

Ooooh, I would LOVE to hear the kids tell their version of how the day went!

Beth On Sunday, May 22 at 4:22 pm

Yes, yes, yes! How about one event with multiple perspectives: Ree, MM and the kids? What a narrative!

I’m so glad that MM is a contributor. Have really enjoyed his 2 posts so far. I say don’t “by” his posts please keep ‘em comin’!

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Rhonda On Friday, May 20 at 10:00 am

I haven’t heard that terminology in a long time… I live in Central Florida in what was the Cow Capital of the state. Disney moved in and the ranchers sold out and moved west. My family didn’t have the huge spread so we sold out and went suburbia. I now work in a high rise office and only get a little manure on my boots when the Rodeo is in town. I miss the “old days” and working the cows… Good job MM… I think I’ll drive out to my friend’s ranch (one of the few working ranches left) and get some manure on my boots!

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Kelly L On Friday, May 20 at 10:00 am

Educational and easy to understand. I now know a little something that previously, I knew nothing about. I love the connections to your own childhood experiences and how your pride in the children comes through in your photos and writing.

More Marlboro Man, please!

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midnacht On Friday, May 20 at 10:02 am

Good thing im not a cowboy ummm cowgirl. Because the cows all look the same size. However ask me about Dairy Cows..and im a wealth of useless info on them.

This was such an awesome post…this suburban girl is fascinated by how you work on the ranch!!

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jmk On Friday, May 20 at 10:04 am

Great pictures and story telling!

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Mara B On Friday, May 20 at 10:04 am

I too was asked to be on the gate many times during my childhood as my dad was sorting cattle. I always found it exciting and nervewracking at the same time. Those are such good memories to look back on now as my father passed away suddenly 8 months ago. I’ll never forget all the lessons he taught me when we worked together. Nothing better. Thanks for sharing!

I love these glimpses into the actual workings of the ranch, the whys and wherefores (uh, no insult meant to Ree, whose posts are wonderful!).

Heh – did that trait of messing with the gate runners get passed on to anyone, or did it skip a generation and will pop up in one of the kids or their cousins? They look like they did an incredible job.

Marisa On Friday, May 20 at 10:09 am

Great post, MM! I hope you’ll continue to contribute to the blog!

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pam On Friday, May 20 at 10:10 am

there are no sissies on cattle ranches. nice post.

PaulaMc On Friday, May 20 at 1:52 pm

That is what I was thinking. I would have needed some clean pants after the first animal came at me. I’m a pansy when it comes to large beasts. But, I also didn’t grow up with it, so I’m sure it’s all quite normal to those in the “know.”

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Celeste On Friday, May 20 at 10:11 am

I am really enjoying these entries on the way a ranch works, and why. I have a question. Could you talk about the differences in ranching (if any) when cattle are going to be bulked up at a feedlot, vs cattle that will gain all of their weight strictly from grass feeding? I’m trying to understand the economics a little better, and the post about the pasture burning got me thinking.

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Teresa On Friday, May 20 at 10:11 am

Tim would make a great rapper – can you hear the beat?
by the black molly (pft pft)
catch the big (pft pft) Charolais

the kids are all kinds of awesome – super impressive, guys!!!
hope they all got a dr pepper when it was over

Thanks, MM!!!

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Valarie On Friday, May 20 at 10:12 am

Wow, does that ever bring back memories!

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Missy On Friday, May 20 at 10:12 am

Really interesting post, MM. We enjoy hearing the inside scoop on working the ranch. It’s fascinating stuff for all us “suburbanites”!

chelllleigh On Friday, May 20 at 10:18 am

Love this post!! I have sorted cattle with my grandparents and I often thought that there had to be a better way!! Communication is so hard to do in a herding-situation. I usually never understood what in the world they were yelling about, it was not consistant. Glad to see that it can be done without chaos, and the monster sandstorm that usually happens to us!!! Love it and the pictures of the kids in action are great!!

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Susan On Friday, May 20 at 10:19 am

MM could write the book on ranching- and maybe he should. Loved the post.

Danna On Friday, May 20 at 1:48 pm

I really enjoys MM’s instructions on ranch life. He makes it simple, straight forward, interesting and plain. Thanks MM for these wonderful lessons.

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Dita On Friday, May 20 at 10:20 am

Ballet indeed!

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GinaG On Friday, May 20 at 10:21 am

Love the MM posts!

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LizK On Friday, May 20 at 10:21 am

Fascinating! I love learning this stuff. Thanks so much for taking the time to share. – Grew up in the city, thus know very little about ranch life. Would love to win a trip there one day to check it out!

Thanks, Marlboro Man! I enjoyed learning about the sorting, and why you do it. Best wishes for a productive (and not too hot) summer!

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Monie On Friday, May 20 at 10:22 am

That last little paragraph and the accompanying image…suddenly, I’m exhausted.

As I read your Ranching 101 tutorials, and consider all that it takes from pasture to plate…I’m amazed that a steak doesn’t cost hundreds of dollars! When you think about how hard and labor intensive it is to produce things, it’s amazing that they’re affordable at all. My dad carried a rural route for the postal service. He was always amazed, when one considers the complete ‘point A to point B’ of delivering a letter or package, at how reasonable postage rates have stayed. As a floral designer, I am always amazed considering the expense from seed to cut flower, how reasonable flowers actually are. Wine production is one of the most labor intensive processes I’ve ever witnessed…yet I can buy an outstanding bottle of Sangria for 8.99….I don’t know…it just kinda blows my mind in a ‘WOW’ kind of way! Thanks for yet another great post and insight into a world I’ve never really stopped to consider before!!!!!!

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Cait On Friday, May 20 at 10:22 am

I love these MM posts. They make me feel all kinds of educated. I actually brought up burning the pastures in conversation the other day!

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Nancy Klune On Friday, May 20 at 10:22 am

Thanks MM. it’s great having you post from your point if view.

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Kimberly On Friday, May 20 at 10:23 am

Great post! I had no idea that’s what you folks do on a cattle ranch.
Thanks for sharing.